Hair curler



June 29, 1943. I a. A. STERLING 2,323,254

' 1mm CURLER Fil ed June 1 1942 1N VENT OR.

BY flerizar'ci (Z Patented June 29, 1943 HAIR CURLER Bernard A.Sterling, Chicago, Ill.; Sara Sterling executrix of said Bernard A.Sterling, deceased Application June 1, 1942 Serial N0. 445,266

17 Claims. (Cl. 132*33) This invention relates to new and usefulimprovements in hair curlers.

One of the main objects of the invention is to provide a hair curlerthat is adapted to permit hair to be wound thereon and locked in itswound position, and a curler that may be readily removed from the curlafter it is completed and without unwinding the curl or loosening orotherwise disturbing the tightly wound condition of the curl.

Another object of the invention is to provide a curler that is adaptedto form a stronger, tighter, and longer lasting curl.

It is a further and more specific object of one embodiment of thepresent invention to provide a curler for producing a Croquignole waveor curl about a curler of diminishing width from its opposite ends toapproximately the center of the curler, and a curler of such characterthat it may be. readily removed from the curl after it is completed andwithout unwinding, or loosening or otherwise disturbing the tightlywound condition of the curl, notwithstanding the diminishing width ofthe curler from its opposite ends to approximately the center thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a curler comprising twoparts constituting together the mandrel about which the hair is wound,the two parts of the curler being adapted tobe removed separately fromthe completed curl so as not in anywise to disturb the tightly woundconditionof the curl.

A further object is to provide in one embodiment of the invention acurler comprising two reversely arranged curler parts forming togetherthe desired diminishing width from the enlarged ends of the respectivecurler parts to approximately the center of the curler and with the twoparts adapted to be separately removed from the wound curl bywithdrawing the reduced inner end of one curler part out from one end ofthe curl and the reduced inner end of the other curler part out from theopposite end of th curl.

Another object of the invention is to provide a guide or clip on onecurler part for interlocking engagement with the other curler part, orguide, or clip means on each of the respective curler parts forinterlocking engagement with the opposite curler parts.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a curler of the classdescribed of simple and inexpensive construction, and which may beoperated and handled conveniently and efiectively.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing detailed description taken .in connection with theaccompanying drawing, in. which:

Figure 1 is a perspective ,view of one form of curler embodying thepresent invention, showing the twoparts of the'curler joined togetherand the tension wire or looking member in looking position; v I

Figu e 2 is a similar view showing the opposite side of the curler and.with'the outer end of a strand of hair between the curlerbars and thetension wire or looking member in open position;

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective View showing the two curler partsseparated from each other; 1 r

Figure 4 is a, fragmentary perspective View of a portion of a personsscalp showing, more or less illustratively, a strand or look of hairwound on the curler and the tension wire or looking memher in lookingposition;

Figure 5 is a perspective view similar to Figure 1 showing a modifiedform of curler embodying the invention and iniwhichthe two parts of thecurler together form a mandrel of diminishing width from it'so-ppositeends to approximately the center of. the curler;

Figure 6 is anexploded perspective view showing the twoparts of thecurler shown in Figure 5 separated fromv each other; and

4 Figure 7 is a detail cross section taken on the 1ine'l1 of Figure 6.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, the curler shown in Figures 1 to4, inclusive comprises a main bar l0 and a removable bar ll constitutingtogether the mandrel upon which the hair is wound. a e

The outer ends of the bars l0 and II have in tegral handles l2 and i3;respectively. Integral lateral tabs M on the bar I0 are turned awayfromthe bar and inwardly to form a slot or guide through which the bar His adapted to be inserted to the position-shown in Figures 1 and 2.Lateral shoulders or abutments I5 on the bar I l, by engagement with theslot or guide forming tabs l4, limit insertion of the bar I I throughthe slot or guide on the bar Ill. The mandrel forming portion ofthe barIt is preferably tapered, diminishing in width from the shoulders l5 forease of. insertion of thi barthrough'the slot or guide on the bar I0,and for ease of removal of the handles l2 and I3 of the two barstogether the mandrel forming portions of the bars will be separated toreceive the outer end of the strand of hair therebetween. The mandrelforming portion of each bar l and II is preferably of arcuate section togive a more or less rounded form to the mandrel of the curler, althoughthis may, of course, vary within the scope of the invention.

The locking member is shown in the form of a tension wire [8 pivoted atone end to the outer side of the handle [2 on the main bar [0.

The pivoting of the tension wire 18 on the handle I2 may beaccomplished, for example, by providing the pivoted end of the wire withan eye or loop I9 which encircles or partially encircles the outstandingshank of a rivet or pin 20 secured in the handle l2. The outer end ofthe pivot pin or rivet 20 is headed to hold the pivoted end of the wirel8 on the handl l2;

The wire I8 is bowed out at 2! properly to accommodate, when in lockedposition, the curled lock of hair. The free end' of the wire I8 isturned in and back to form a hookfatll which is adapted to snap over theend of the .barfllO and into locking engagement with the adjacent end ofthe bar I I when in looking position as shown in Figure 1. The endof-the bar l0 preferably has a notch or indentation at 23 in which theouter hooked end of the tension wire engages when in locked position. I

In use, thetension wire 18 is first swung aside from the position shownin Figure. 1 to op'en position as shown in Figure 2, so that it will notinterfere with the winding of the hair. With the removable bar Hinserted through the slot or guide onthe main bar was shown in Figure 2,the handles l2 and i3 arejpressed together to separate the mandrelforming portions ofthe bars. The strand of hair is. slipped through theslot 2!; in a suitable shield 21 of felt or other suitable material,which shield ,is placed next tothe scalp. .If desired, a slotted orother suitable fiber shield 28 maybe placed over the strand of hair andnextto the shield 21..

The lock of hair may be treated with, a suitable permanent wavinsolution and the outer end of the strand of hair is placed between themandrel forming portions of. the bars l0 and II as shown, in general, inFigure 2. Holding the bars tightly at the slot or guideon the main barwith one hand, and the ends of the bars with the otherlhand, the strandof hair is wound about the mandrel forming portions of the bars as faras the shield, preferably being sure to roll or wind the hair under. Inrolling Orwinding the hair,.it is preferably rolled or wound as tightlyas possible. The forming of the curl over the relatively sharp edges ofth bars [0 and l 1 produces a stronger, better, and longer lasting curl.The bars I!) and II are held together when winding the curl to assureproper tension. I

The tension wire l8 is now swung from its open position (Figure 2) backto its locking position '(Figure 1), and the hooked end is engagedoverthe ends of both bars l0 and ll. ,Inlockingthe curler the tensionwire I8 is preferably swung overthe upper'side of the curl so that thecurl is kept close to the shield. .The wire holds the curl tightly inplace.

The application of curlers and curling of the strands of hair. thereonis repeated until the desired number of curls is formed. Thenwhen thecurls are properly wound, otton or other padding is preferably stuffedunder each felt shield, it being preferable to use more padding whencurling the hair at the ears and nape of the neck, although this, ofcourse, may vary.

Heating is the last step. Foil or other covering means may be appliedover the curl to cover the same, the covering being pressed firmly-overthe curl so that it will remain in place and completely cover the hairon the curler. In one embodiment of the invention, heaters are heated ona stove and the heaters are then clamped over the foil-covered curls andare allowed to remain on the curls the desired length of time, for

v example, in home waving, about four minutes.

V a stove or the like, electric heaters may be employed, or the wavingof the .hair may be of the so-called heatless type. In the latter typeof waving, pads are employed having chemical means therein which willdevelop heat upon wetting with water. The use of electric heaters andchemical pads are well known in the art, and therefore will not befurther described in detail here.

After all of the curls have been properly heated or baked, the curlersare preferably allowed to' remain on the head for another suitablelength of time, for example, about five minutes, so that the curlerswill be thoroughly cooled and the hair properly conditioned. The foilsshields are then removed from the hair. The foils are removed first, andwhere fiber shields are employed they are slipped off the hair and thefelt shields are pulled over the curl and curler. The curler is thenremoved as follows: First, open the curler by swinging the tension wireto one side. Then hold the handles of the curler with one hand and theend of the.curler with the other hand. Pull out the removable bar llfirst fromone end of the curl, the tapered form of which permits readyremoval endwise from the curl. Then pull out the main bar endwis fromthe same end of the curl, the prior removal of theremovable bar'-permitting ready removal of the main bar without loosening or disturbingthe curled condition of the hair. The curl may be pinned in place with abob-pin or hair pin until it is completely dry; the pins may be appliedbefore the curler is removed from the curl or after it is removed fromthe curl.

After the whole head has been waved the hair is allowed to completelydry. When every curl is thoroughly dry, the hair pins or bob-pins areremoved, and the hair may be rinsed in cold wa ter and set with a hairsetting lotion, although this may, of course, vary widely within thescope of the present invention. In the embodiment of the invention shownin Figures 5, 6, and 7, the curler bars l0 and II' are similar to thecurler bars I0 and II of the embodiment of the invention shown inFigures 1 to 4, inclusive.

In the latter embodiment of the invention, however, the mandrel formingportion of the bar I0 is of diminishing width from the Wider end 30adjacent the handle E2 to the opposite are reversely arranged in placingthe barsin cooperating relation, and, as a result, a mandrel is formedwhich is of diminishing width from its opposite ends to approximatelythe center of the mandrel. When the hair is wound on the mandrel aspreviously described, the gradually increasing width of the mandreloutwardly in opposite directions from approximately the center thereofassures proper tensioningof the entire curl, not only at the center butoutwardly to opposite ends thereof, as well known in the art.

Heretofore, however, where the mandrel has been of diminishing widthfrom its opposite ends it has been necessary to unwind the curl in orderto remove the curler after the curl is completed; With the mandrelformed in two parts as shown in Figures 5, 6, and 7, the curler isadapted to be removed from the curl after completion of the same andwithout unwinding or disturbing the curl, notwithstanding thediminishing width of the curler from its opposite ends to approximatelythe center thereof. This is accomplished by withdrawing one curler partendwise from one end of the curl and the other curler part endwise fromthe opposite end of the curl. The separate withdrawal of the two partsmakes for ease of removal, thereof 'and permits the curler parts to beremoved without disturbing the curl which is left intact.

Each of the curler members or bars Ill and I I is shown as provided witha clip l4 forming channels or guides on each of the respective barsthrough which the reduced ends of the other bars are inserted endwise. Icontemplate within the scope of the present invention providing achannel forming clip I4 on only one bar which, in the illustratedembodiment of the invention, would preferably be on the bar Ill. Thehandles l2 and I3 are shown as disposed outwardly of the channel formingclips l4.

As in the preceding embodiment of the invention, the locking member isin the form of a tension wire l8 pivoted at one end to the outer side ofthe handle l2 on the bar ID. This pivoting of the tension wire I8 on thehandle I2 is accomplished, as before, by providing the pivoted end ofthe wire with an eye or loop l9" which encircles or partially encirclesthe outstanding shank of a rivet or pin 20 secured in the handle l2. Theouter end of the pivot pin or rivet 28 is headed to hold the pivoted endof the wire I8 on the handle i2. The wire [8 is preferably bowed out at2|, as before, properly to accommodate, when in locked position, thecurled lock of hair. The free end of the wire I8 is turned in and backto form a hook at 22' which is adapted to snap over the end of thehandle IS on the bar II and into locking engagement therewith as shownin Figure 5. A notch or indentation is preferably provided at 23 Inwinding the hair on this form of curler the tension wire [8 is swungaside as in the preceding embodiment of the invention.

I do not intend to be limited to the precise details shown or described.

I claim:

1. A hair curler comprising a pair of separate curler parts havingmandrel forming elements and adapted to be joined together incooperating relation said parts being formed with portions thereofincluding the mandrel elements to lie in substantially parallel planes,said mandrelelements forming a mandrel about which the hair is adaptedto be wound when said parts are end for locking engagement with the incooperating relation, one of said parts bein removable endwise in theplane of its mandrel forming position from one end of the wound curl andthe other part being removable endwise in the plane of its mandrelforming position from the opposite end of the curl.v

2-. A haircurler comprising a pair of separate curler parts havingmandrel forming elements and adapted to be joined in cooperatingrelation, said parts being formed with portions thereof including themandrel elements to lie in substantially parallel planes, said mandrelelements forming a mandrel about which the hair is adapted tobe woundwhen said parts are in 00- operating relation, one of said parts havinga handle turned out from the other part, and the other part having ahandle in juxtaposition to said first handle, said handles being adaptedto be pressed together when the parts are in cooperating relation toswing the mandrel forming portion of one part away from the mandrelforming portion of the other part to permit the hair to be placedtherebetween, and one of said parts being removable endwise in the planeof its mandrel forming position from one end of the wound curl.

3. A hair curler comprising a pair of separatethe plane of its, mandrelforming position from the opposite end of the curl, anda locking memberpivoted at one end on one of said curler parts:

and having a hook portion at its opposite end adapted for lockingengagement with the site endsof said curler parts.

4. A hair curler comprising a pair of separate curler parts havingmandrel forming elements and adapted to be joined in cooperatingrelation, said parts being formed; with portions thereof including themandrel elements to liein substan tially parallel planes, said mandrelelements forming a mandrel about, which-the hair is adapted to be woundwhen said parts: are in cooperatingrelation, one of said parts having ahandle turned out from the other part, and the other part having ahandle in juxtaposition to said first handle, said:

handles being adapted to be pressed together when the parts are incooperating relation to swing the mandrel forming'portion of one partaway from the mandrel forming portion of the other part to permit thehair to' be placed therebetween, one of said parts being. removableendwise in the plane of its mandrel forming position from one end of thewound curl, and a'tension spring locking member pivoted at one end ononeofsaid curler parts for lateral swinging movement and having a hookportion at its opposite opposite ends of said curler parts.

5. A hair curler comprising a pair of separate curler part's havingmandrel forming elements and adapted to be joined together incooperating relation, said parts being formed with portions thereofincluding the mandrel elements to lie in substantially parallel planes,said mandrel elements forming a mandrel about which the hair is adaptedto be wound when said parts are in cooperating relation, one of saidparts being removable endwise in the plane of its mandrel formingposition from one end of the wound curl and the other part beingremovable endwise in the plane of its mandrel forming position from theopposite end of the curl, the mandrel forming portion of at least one ofsaid curler parts being of tapered form diminishing in width to the endof said mandrel forming portion.

6. A hair curler comprising a main curler bar having a mandrel formingportion, a clip forming a channel at one end of said mandrel formingportion, and 1 a removable curler bar having a mandrel forming portionadapted to be slipped through the channel formed by said clip toposition in cooperation with the mandrel forming portion of said mainbar to form a mandrel about which the hair is adapted to be wound, saidcurler bars being formed to lie in-substantially parallel planes whenassembled to form the mandrel so that said removable bar is removable byendwise movement in the plane of its assembled position from one end ofthe curl.

7. A hair curler comprising a main curler bar having a mandrel formingportion, a clip forming a channel at one end of said mandrel formingportion, a removable curler bar having a mandrel forming portion adaptedto be slipped through the channel formed by said clip to position incooperation with the mandrel forming portion of said main bar to form amandrel about which the hair is adapted to be wound, and shoulder meanson said removable bar for limiting insertion ofthe mandrel formingportion of said removable bar through the channel formed by said clip onthe main bar, said curler bars being formed to lie in substantiallyparallel planes when assembled to form the mandrel so that saidremovable bar is removable by endwise movementin the plane of itsassembled position from one end of the curl.

8. A hair curler comprising a main curler bar having a mandrel formingportion, a clip forming a channel at one end of said mandrel formingportion, a removable curler bar having a mandrel forming portion adaptedto be slipped through the channel formed by said clip to position incooperation with the mandrel forming portion of said main bar to form amandrel about which the hair is adapted to be wound, and

by said clip on the main bar, the mandrel forming portion of saidremovable bar being of tapered form diminishing in width from saidshoulder means to the end of the mandrel forming portion of saidremovable bar, said curler bar being formed to lie in substantiallyparallel planes when assembled to form the mandrel so that saidremovable bar is removable by endwise movement in the plane of itsassembled position from one end of the curl.

9. A hair curler comprising a main curler bar having a mandrel formingportion, a clip forming a channel at one end of said mandrel formingportion, a removable curler bar having a mandrel forming portion adaptedto be slipped through the channel formed by said clip to position incooperation with the mandrel forming portion of said main bar to form amandrel about which the hair is adapted to be wound, and shoulder meanson said removable bar for limiting insertionof the mandrel formingportion of said re movable bar through the channel formed by said clipon the main bar, the mandrel forming portion of said removable bar beingof tapered form diminishing in width from said shoulder means to the endof the mandrel forming portion of said removable bar, one of said barshaving a handle turned out from the other bar and the other bar having ahandle in juxtaposition to said first handle, said handles being adaptedto be pressed together when the bars are in cooperating relation toswing the mandrel forming portion of one bar away from the mandrelforming portion of the other bar to permit the hair t be placedtherebetween, said curler bars being formed to lie in substantiallyparallel planes when assembled to form the mandrel so that saidremovable bar is removable by endwise movement in the plane of itsassembled position from one end of the curl.

10. A hair curler comprising a main curler bar having a mandrel formingportion, a clip forming a channel at one end-of said mandrel formingportion, a removable curler bar having a mandrel forming portion adaptedto be slipped through the channel formed by said clip to position incooperation vmith the mandrel forming portion of said, main bar to forma'mandrel about which the hair is adapted to be wound, shoulder means onsaid removable bar for limiting insertion of the mandrel forming portionof said removable bar through the channel formed by said clip on themain bar, the mandrel forming portion of said removable bar being oftapered form diminishing in width from said shoulder means to the end ofthe mandrel forming portion of said removable bar, one of said barshaving a handle turned out from the other bar and the other bar having ahandle in juxtaposition to said first handle, said handles being adaptedto be pressed together when the bars are in cooperating relation toswing the mandrel forming portion of one bar away from the mandrelforming portion of the other bar to permit the hair to be placedtherebetween, said curler bars being formed to lie in substantiallyparallel planes when assembled to form the mandrel so that saidremovable bar is removable by endwise movement in the plane of itsassembled position from one end of the curl and a locking member pivotedat one end on one end of the main curler bar and having a hook portionat its opposite end adapted for locking engagement with the oppositeends of the curler bars.

11. A hair curler comprising a pair of separate curler parts adapted tobe joined together in cooperating relation and disconnected andseparated endwise 1 one from the other, said curler parts havingcooperating mandrel forming portions and shaped to form when the barsare in cooperating relation a mandrel of diminishing width from itsopposite ends, said bars being formed to lie insubstantially parallelplanes in theirlmandrel forming position and being removable .by endwisemovement in said planes from opposite ends of the curl.

12. A hair curler comprising a main curler bar having a mandrel formingportion, a clip form-.

ing a channel at one end of said mandrel forming portion, and aremovable curler bar having a mandrel forming portion adapted to beslipped through the channel formed by said clip to position incooperation with the mandrel forming portion of said main bar to form amandrel about which the hair is adapted to be wound, the mandrel formingportions of said bars being shaped to form, when the bars are incooperating relation, a mandrel of diminishing width from its oppositeends.

13. A hair curler comprising a main curler bar having a mandrel formingportion, a clip forming a channel at one end of said mandrel formingportion, and a removable curler bar having a mandrel forming portionadapted to be slipped through the channel formed by said clip toposition in cooperation with the mandrel forming portion of said mainbar to form a mandrel about which the hair is adapted to be Wound, themandrel forming portions of said bars being shaped to form, when thebars are in cooperating relation, a mandrel of diminishing width fromits opposite ends, and shoulder means on said removable bar for limitinginsertion of the mandrel forming portion of said removable bar throughthe channel formed by said clip, the mandrel forming portion of saidremovabl bar being of tapered form diminishing in width from saidshoulder means to the end of the mandrel forming portion of saidremovable bar.

14. A hair curler comprising a main curler bar having a mandrel formingportion, a clip forming a channel at one end of said mandrel formingportion, a removable curler bar having a mandrel forming portion adaptedto be slipped through the channel formed by said clip .to position incooperation with the mandrel forming portion of said main bar to form amandrel about which the hair is adapted to be Wound, the mandrel formingportions of said bars being shaped to form, when the bars are incooperating relation, a mandrel of diminishing width from its oppositeends, and a locking member pivoted at one end on one end of said maincurler bars and having a hook portion at its opposite end adapted forlocking engagement with the opposite ends of said curler bars.

15. A hair curler comprising two members having elongated mandrelportions adapted to be assembled in superposed relation and togetherdefining a mandrel for winding thereon of a strand of hair to form acurl, said mandrel portions of said members being formed for withdrawalfrom the curl endwise thereof without distorting the curl radially andsaid members being separable from each other by relative lengthwisemovement and without relative movement therebetween transversely oftheir length whereby said members may be withdrawn singly lengthwisefrom the curl of hair Without subjecting it to radial distortion.

16. A hair curler comprising two members having lengthwise straightportions adapted to be assembled in superposed relation and togetherdefining a mandrel for windin thereon of a strand of hair to form acurl, said members having means detachably holding them in cooperatingrelation and being separable from each other solely by relativelengthwise rectilineal movement whereby said members may be Withdrawnsingly lengthwise from the curl of hair Without subjecting it toobjectionable radial distortion.

1'7. A hair curler comprising two members having elongated mandrelportions adapted to be assembled in superposed relation and togetherdefining a mandrel for winding thereon of a strand of hair to form acurl, said mandrel portions of said members being formed for withdrawalfrom the curl endwise thereof without distorting the curl radially andsaid members being separable from each other by relative lengthwisemovement and without relative movement therebetween transversely oftheir length whereby said members may be withdrawn singly lengthwisefrom the curl of hair without subjecting it to radial distortion, andcooperating means associated with said parts for guiding them uponassembly into said superposed relation and restraining said partsagainst relative lateral movement in their assembled position.

BERNARD A. STERLING.

